Toyotas with lost smart keys, NZ new and Japanese Imported

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Toyotas with lost smart keys, NZ new and Japanese Imported - starting new R&D

RUKI

1402 posts

Uber Geek

#207531 31-Dec-2016 20:32

If someone remember - few years ago I asked on this forum what people think of car diagnostics... apart from couple of sceptic feedback there were no interest. That did not discouraged me at all as I was absolutely sure about the future of my idea. Humongous amount of efforts I've put in R&D eventuated with invention, development and production of my High Voltage Battery Analysers. The kick for that was simple question from a mate: "can you fix that battery?"

I am launching new R&D - this time about Toyota smart keys. As I was asked recently: "can you fix that?" This time it was about imported Toyota with one key which was lost.

Here is the question which is NZ specific and limited right now to Toyota owners only (ICE and Hybrids):

What are popular Toyota models imported from Japan, which operate with the so called "smart key" - i.e. the one you carry in the pocket and open the car by touching the handle. You also start your Toyota with that key in your pocket. Very often Jap import comes with 1 key only and while people have it - they are reluctant to pay for second. When the one and only is lost (as I was told) the price tag for making new is much more...

Please reply with something like: Prius 2011-2015; Prius C 2012-2015

petercad

113 posts

Master Geek

#1696903 31-Dec-2016 20:47

2006 onward Corolla (Auris and Fielder)

06 onward RAV4

These both have smart keys

k1w1k1d

1519 posts

Uber Geek

#1696953 31-Dec-2016 22:53

We recently bought a 2010 Auris with smart key from a non Toyota dealer.

Car only had one key when we bought it. Dealer said that there should be two, so they supplied a new one from Toyota.

New key would have cost us $530 from Toyota. Very expensive for what it is.

My suggestion when buying a car is to demand a spare key, or walk away!

Batman

Mad Scientist
29761 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1696960 31-Dec-2016 23:54

Toyota Estima 2006-2009, 2009+

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1697556 2-Jan-2017 13:05

Just an FYI, when I bought my Vanguard (lwb Rav4) one smart key had a small metal tag attached that I initually thought was a dealer adornment, and was about to toss out with the other dealer tags when I found through reading this small tag had the code to replace the factory keys if you lost one so really important.

mail2mm

82 posts

Master Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1697679 2-Jan-2017 16:29

My 2007 Toyota Blade (a deluxe Corolla for the Japanese market) has a semi-smart key. Two buttons on key/remote for doors lock and doors un-lock. Key can then stay in your pocket when starting car with push button on dash.

pctek

807 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#2093796 20-Sep-2018 13:19

$2228 for mine, because there was no master, needed 2 spares and they had to pull the ecu.

2006 Toyota Rush

ObidiahSlope

260 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2093844 20-Sep-2018 14:11

Some locksmiths have smart key readers. The clone smart keys they sell are loaded with the read key. They are often cheaper than OEM(original equipment manufacturer) ones.

Obviously they have to have an original to read the code.

I once asked a major NZ new car importer which sells itself on customer service if I supplied the VIN number for my NZ new car could they sell me an additional smart key. Only the physical hardware key I was told.

Obsequious hypocrite

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missygrrlNZ

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2102370 6-Oct-2018 06:50

I just got a Toyota hybrid estima and it only has one key so started looking around how to get a spare.
Armstrong’s I went too twice and the guy who was supposed to call me with a quote never called me - I am wandering if it has anything to do with the article I just read about another estima owner taking Toyota/Armstrong’s to court for breaking consumer law by charging so much for a key which he determined (through the court) only cost them a very small amount and they were hugely overcharging for it. They charged $525 and the court ruled that he only pay the higher end value of $200 and Toyota had to repay the $325. So I’m wandering if I can make a claim to them against this ruling if they try and charge me a similar price?!...
I also went to mr Minot and they were very friendly, quoted me $390 and they have to program the car too.

So not sure where to go from here because I really can’t afford either amount for a spare key.

k1w1k1d

1519 posts

Uber Geek

#2102383 6-Oct-2018 09:23

Try a couple of your local auto electrical workshops.

Some of them can supply and program new keys. If not, they may be able to recommend a locksmith.

It will be very expensive if you lose the only key, so probably a good idea to bite the bullet and get a spare now.

gzt

17109 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2102467 6-Oct-2018 12:01

? A dealer told me he gets his from Japan for $70 secondhand and reprograms them so he can provide a spare with every car.

Bung

6477 posts

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Subscriber

#2102473 6-Oct-2018 13:14

Is it the key or the car that gets programmed? Our Suzuki can have the indentity of 4 keys entered into it so if you had 2 of them you could make both accept any of your keys. I would find out whether there was any special pairing of key to car before accepting that a replacement was a big expensive deal.

mdav056

607 posts

Ultimate Geek

Subscriber

#2102515 6-Oct-2018 14:51

gzt: ? A dealer told me he gets his from Japan for $70 secondhand and reprograms them so he can provide a spare with every car.

A few years ago, the dealer from whom I bought my 2006 Prius (so not THAT smart, but smartish) from programmed me a second key fob right there in the yard, for $35 as I recall. Wait, you think he already had a second key? No, he offered me a choice of which one I wanted. Pick a fob, any fob...

gml